THE MARTIN COUNTY BOARD TUESDAY APPROVED A REDUCTION IN THE SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT SERVICE FEE CHARGED TO EACH BUSINESS AND HOUSEHOLD ON PROPERTY TAX STATEMENTS. THE CURRENT 115 DOLLAR PER YEAR BUSINESS FEE WILL BE REDUCED TO 69 DOLLARS PER YEAR AND THE 47 DOLLAR PER YEAR HOUSEHOLD FEE REDUCED TO 28 DOLLARS EFFECTIVE THE FIRST OF NEXT YEAR. SOLID WASTE COORDINATOR BILLEYE RABBE SAID THE REASON IS THAT THE PRAIRIELAND SOLID WASTE FACILITY SWITCH OVER TO PRODUCING REFUSE DERIVED FUEL INSTEAD OF COMPOST HAS CAUSED THE EXPENSES AT THE PLANT TO DROP SIGNIFICANTLY. RABBE SAID THAT FARIBAULT COUNTY FEES DROPPED AS WELL. THE TWO COUNTIES OVERSEE THE PRAIRIELAND FACILITY.

THE BOARD APPROVED THE COMMITTMENT OF REVOLVING FUNDS IN THE AMOUNT OF 10,000 DOLLARS FOR BOTH TRIMONT AND WELCOME AS LEVERAGE FOR THE SMALL CITIES DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM APPLICATION AS REQUESTED BY THE MINNESOTA VALLEY ACTION COUNCIL. THE BOARD APPROVED PROVIDING 75,000 DOLLARS FROM THE FUND EARLIER THIS YEAR TO ASSIST THE COMMUNITIES OF CEYLON,DUNNELL,GRANADA AND NORTHROP WITH HOUSING REHABILITATION.